title: The role of arthroscopy in the treatment of functional instability of the ankle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ankle sprains are common, the majority resolving with functional rehabilitation. Some patients are left with symptoms of functional instability (FI). Ankle arthroscopy in those with symptoms of FI is not well covered in the literature. Our aim was to assess its role in FI of the ankle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case note analysis of patients with FI following an ankle sprain from 2005 to 2007. All underwent arthroscopy, provided mechanical instability was excluded (EUA and stress X-rays), and there were no signs of soft tissue impingement. These patients had exhausted all options of conservative therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven patients with a mean age of 38.1: five had true mechanical instability and were excluded. 72 underwent arthroscopy: 67 (93.1%) had significant amounts of scar tissue needing debridement, most commonly in the antero-lateral corner (58.3%). 52 patients improved (72.2%) at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study supports the role of ankle arthroscopy in the treatment of FI following trauma. It should be considered when conservative measures have failed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 4JL, UK.
authors.forename: Hui-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bayley
authors.forename: Rosalyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Paresh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kothari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle arthroscopy; Clinical outcome; Functional instability